Regional sites worth their salt should start to take cues from Arcadia where they change direction of the 100m on the fly to enable the fastest possible times. Sure it's extra cameras, wiring, etc., but let's use every possible bit of technology to ensure our regional qualifies as many as possible, right?

That is a good idea, but the regional sites that DIII NE goes to (several in the past 30 years) has not had the capability to do that. a couple sites, including Massillon Perry, does have the ability to change the jumping events to a favorable wind, and they should do that when possible. IMO

Team points mean little to me at the regional meet if I know I don't have a team that can contend for one of the top places in the team competition. My goal is to qualify kids as far along the tournament trail as possible. Years from now, they're not likely to remember or care if we placed 9th or 11th as a team at the regional, but they'll remember that trip to state for a long time if we're able to make that happen.

I do my homework. I know if my team is a contender in the team competition at each level of the tournament. I generally know at each invite where the kids I coach are likely to place.

time performances are the easy way out. Total crap if you have a tailwind in the 100 or you race the mile in a sit and kick race. Someone is getting screwed. What they need to do is take the next two in each event that was closest to the 4th place time. THe only fair way to do it.

Not much to do about a tailwind in the 100, but as far as sit and kick distance races go, if a kid thinks he or she might get out based on time in a distance race, then they'd better not let the race develop into a sit and kick...individual runners can control that.

Unsure if I will tell any of my kids. I will continue to tell them that top 4 automatically qualify. Compete to the line and never give up.

If coaches are explaining this to the kids, do you expect them to understand the entire process? I don't think it is possible for high school kids to understand outside the body and personal EGO. Way too big of a concept for them. IMO they need to compete for the top 4 period.

Unsure if I will tell any of my kids. I will continue to tell them that top 4 automatically qualify. Compete to the line and never give up.

If coaches are explaining this to the kids, do you expect them to understand the entire process? I don't think it is possible for high school kids to understand outside the body and personal EGO. Way too big of a concept for them. IMO they need to compete for the top 4 period.

My comment wasn't referring to the two additional spots, just how I coach my kids and prepare them.